The Masked Dancer UK viewers were quick to cast their verdict on Peter Crouch as he took to the guessing panel for the first time. The all-moving and shaking version of the bonkers ITV singing competition returned to screens on Saturday night (September 3) with a fresh batch of famous faces hiding behind a mask.
After the success of the first series last year, the dance competition will again see 12 new celebrity contestants perform routines while disguised in extravagant and outrageous costumes while the star panel tries to guess their identities.
The first episode of the series saw comedian Joel Dommett returns as host as former Strictly professional dancer Oti Mabuse, chat show host Jonathan Ross and TV presenter Davina McCall take their seats on the panel as they try to work out who is behind the mask.
READ MORE: ITV The Masked Dancer fans reckon they've unmasked Amanda Holden as character over one major clue
They were joined by former England footballer Peter Crouch as they started their guesses with the first six performances. Peter is stepping in for comedian Mo Gilligan, who is unavailable this season due to touring commitments. But fans of Celebrity Gogglebox star and Big Breakfast host Mo need not worry as he will be making a surprise appearance alongside other special guests throughout the series run.
Host Joel introduced the footballer-turned-podcaster as 'the inventor of the robot- - a nod to his famous goal-scoring celebrations - before getting him to show off the move. When asked if when he had first busted out the move he had dreamed of being on a dance more than a decade later, Peter joked: "I'll be honest my hopes and dreams were very different."
But he did add: "I'm loving being here." However, The Masked Dancer viewers were soon commenting on Peter's appearance on the panel - and one word featured quite regularly in their comments... random!
@BTS_ARMY784 tweeted: "Peter Crouch is the most random person to judge a dancing show in the history of dancing shows. #TheMaskedDancer." @OhAlicia_ commented: "Watching #themaskeddancer. Peter Crouch is a judge? Random! (I’ll say, he does seem a nice man)." @Survivinthe20s echoed: "Peter Crouch is so random for this. #themaskeddancer."
Ahead of the first episode, Peter, 41, said of being on the show: "It’s madness. Completely different to anything that I’ve ever done before. My kids love the show.
"I played football for England and Liverpool, I played in cup finals, played in the Premier League and played in world cups, but my kids, the only thing they want to talk to me about is The Masked Dancer. They absolutely love it. They came and watched one of the shows and absolutely loved it and it’s all they’ve talked about since."
Candlestick, Odd Socks, Prawn Cocktail, Astronaut, Scissors, and the show’s first duo – Pillar and Post – all took to the stage during episode one. And it was Astronaut who became the first to be unmasked with the panel left open-mouthed at their identity.
Oti started freaking out as her childhood crush, and Desperate Housewives star, Jesse Metcalfe revealed himself as the dancing character. Next Saturday the remaining characters will follow in the footsteps of last night's dancers as they head onto the iconic dancefloor.
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